The Ralston’s of Greytown/Allanton Otago. New Zealand

Descendant’s of Alexander Ralston who came from Southend, Argyll, Scotland to Otago c 1864

We know of two brothers who travelled to Australia several years beforehand.

While we don’t know what ship Alexander arrived on the writer has  a lot of information gathered  over many  years  just waiting to be written up.   Three years have passed since the Ralston reunion held in Allanton 2015? and the book is well overdue . Contacts made at the reunion will hopefully assist to produce  a comprehensive history.

The authors wife, Ivy Ralston (Peter branch) was one of the forth and last generation to live on the original Ralston farm, Thistle Inn . Located immediately north of Allanton township on the hillside.  The very large gum trees on the roadside are a marker for the property. The little cottage there today was once the Lindsay home and it was bought over the old Allanton bridge by traction engine.

Several Ralston  descendants  were farmers. Today descendant  Ralston’s are dispersed throughout  New Zealand but none live in the township . A road name and the old butcher shop with the Ralston name are the only tangible remnants. (apart from the abattoir up the gully )

The Greytown / Allanton Ralston story is a future publication waiting compilation. Publication c 2020. We are ever hopeful of locating an image of the original Alexander. But the story of the bonfire of material taken out of the old homestead building  is ominous.   A relative back in Scotland is working on the archives of Inverarry Castle and is keeping an eye out for information about the Ralston’s. A reference has been found to Alexander when aged 24yrs and living at Brecklate.